Community Tasting Note

Thursday, May 7, 2015 - Im a New World, QPR-focused guy looking to expand my horizons by trying Old World product. Recently I saw a video comparing some of the best Bordeaux of the '05 vintage. This $25 bottle scored better than a $1,000+ Petrus and other premieres. Wow! I''m still trying to digest the meaning of that. For some CT'ers it's too oakey. Maybe so. However for this nose, its balance of fruit, acid, grip and length creates an enjoyable quaff...at a terrific price!

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6 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Purple Tooth:

5/8/2015 7:57:00 AM - Thats what makes this sport so great! Everyone can form a different take on the same thing. As for outperforming the 05' Petrus, refer to the previous sentence :-)
But for this wine to be mentioned in the same sentence as Petrus is a great accomplishment. I have tried this wine before and thought that it was quite good and still too young. Thanks for your note! Happy hunting.
Comment posted by NineteenEightyTwo:

5/13/2015 11:19:00 AM - I attended a dinner in 2008, hosted by Mr. Vatelot, where we tasted Reignac (2003 and 2004) and Balthus (2003 and 2004) blind against Lafite-Rothschild (2004), Haut-Brion (2003), Cheval Blanc (2003), and Dominus (2004).

By consensus, the 2003 Balthus and Reignac beat out offerings from the same vintage from Haut-Brion and Cheval Blanc. Lafite and Dominus were preferred, though Reignac certainly wasn't embarrassed by the comparison. Considering that Reignac and Balthus sold for $20-30/bottle, it was a triumph that they held their own against wines >10x more expensive.

Astute observers will note that all these wines were a maximum of 5 years old at the time. The real test, in my opinion, is whether Reignac will age for multiple decades. Reignac shows well in its youth, but I have difficulty believing that it will be as vivacious in 30+ (or even 60+) years in the way that First Growth Bordeaux from the superlative vintages are. Time, as always, will tell.

To that end, I have a vertical of Reignac (1998 and 2001-2005) that I've been meaning to taste through. Notes to come, once I get around to it.
Comment posted by Magnum Bill:

5/13/2015 1:34:00 PM - To PT and 1982, Thanks for your inputs. Finding an under-appreciated wine...or better said, a great QPR wine...is exciting. Hoping to find many more.
Comment posted by PFra:

5/25/2015 10:23:00 PM - Totally agree with nineteeneightytwo. Great value, unclear long term aging potential. Please post your vertical.
Comment posted by NineteenEightyTwo:

2/25/2016 3:02:00 PM - Finally got around to the Reignac vertical. You can view the results here: https://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=30723
Comment posted by Purple Tooth:

2/25/2016 4:48:00 PM - Thanks for the education 82'. Definitely nice work! My first Reginac was a 2005. I was so impressed with all the stuffing, that I ventured down the line and bought some 2000's without trying one, as I should have...Though good, I was on the fence about it getting better or worse..I chose to sell my remaining bottles a few weeks back to make room for some other necks. After reading your notes, I think I may have made a good choice to move on.....Thanks again!